Services

Investors Constructing Social Service Facilities

Investors in Debark Town in North Gondar Zone of the Amhara Regional State are constructing hotel buildings, lodges, gas stations and markets with an aggregate capital of 24 million Br. Abera Mekonen, public relations expert in the Woreda Information Office, said the projects would provide employment for a variety of skill levels.

Agriculture

Study Shows  Limited Seed Aid Benefit to Farmers

A two-year study funded by IDRC and USAID conducted by local and international researchers showed the benefits of seed aid for farmers recovering from crises such as drought or flood is limited. The study claims farmers receive identical aid again and again, and root causes are not addressed. Abera Deressa (PhD), state minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and leader of the study, called for increased attention to the aid that has absorbed 500 million dollars since 1982. A workshop on December 10-11 will forward the findings from the study.

Transport

Company to Import 30 Buses

Sky Bus Transport System Company will import 30 modern buses to launch long distance services. Solomon Garedew, company manager, said the new buses are equipped with toilet, beverage facilities and TVs. The company plans to employ 162 people.

Business Association

Chamber Signs 284,000 Euro Support Agreement

The Addis Abeba Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association signed a 284,600 euro (3.7 million Br) support agreement last Tuesday with the Netherlands. The support aims to strengthen the capacity of the Chamber and implement the 'Merkato Branch Office Project' in the coming three years.  Chamber President Eyesuswork Zafu signed the agreement with Alphons Hennekens, ambassador of the Netherlands.

Press release, December 6, 2007

Coffee

Starbucks to Buy Aprons from Almeda

The United States (US) giant coffee retailer, Starbucks, began negotiations with Almeda Textile Factory to manufacture black aprons to be worn by 27,000 workers. Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz along with executives intend to promote Ethiopian garments. The plan follows Starbucks announcement two weeks ago that it plans to build a farmer support centre in Addis Abeba. Starbucks has been buying Ethiopian coffee since 1971.

The Reporter, December 1, 2007

Projects in Ethiopia

Japan Signs Grant Agreement For Development

The Japanese government and Ethiopia signed a 121 million Br grant agreement last Tuesday. It covers water supply in the Tigray Regional State as well as procurement of fertilizers for underprivileged farmers and small-scale agriculturists throughout the country and primary school construction in the Oromia Regional State. Kinichi Komano, ambassador of Japan, and Mekonenn Manyazewal, state minister of Finance and Economic Development, signed on behalf of the countries.

Press Release, December 1, 2007

Trade

Business Ass'n in US Re-established

The Ethio-American Business Community Forum (EABCF), established eight years ago, changed its name to the United States (US) Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber aims to enhance trade and economic ties between the two countries. US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald Yamamato, said the memorandum of association and articles of the establishment of the forum were adopted, while board members and executive secretaries to be elected soon.

The Guardian, December 1, 2007

Aid

UNWFP Predicts Funding Shortage

The United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) said its Targeted Supplementary Food (TSF) programme assisting malnourished children and pregnant and nursing women is facing funding shortfalls that could lead to increased risk of deaths. It was seeking contributions from donors totalling 9.7 million dollars to help purchase 14,000 metric tonnes of food. The TSF programme assisted some 664,000 malnourished children and pregnant mothers in the first half of 2007.

The Daily Monitor, December 5, 2007

Cemenet

Cement Enterprise Undertaking 1.4b Br Expansion

Muger Cement Enterprise announced that it is undertaking a 1.4 billion Br expansion project. Mekonnen Zergaw, acting manager of the Enterprise, said the project will address the shortage of cement in Ethiopia. The Enterprise aims to increase its daily clinker production to 3,000tns from the current 2,000tns

The Ethiopian Herald, December 5, 2007

NGOs

NGOs Execute 297m Br Development Projects

The 26 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been executing development projects in Arsi Zone of the Oromia Regional State at a cost of 297 million Br, the Zonal Finance and Economic Development Office said. NGOs affairs monitoring team leader with the department, Gosa Negash, said that the projects focus on integrated rural development, water provision, sanitation, and education among others.

 The Ethiopian Herald, November 30, 2007

Credit

Over 200,000 New Clients to Receive Loans

Dedebit Credit and Savings SC announced that it is ready to provide loans for over 200,000 new clients in the Tigray Regional State next year. Atakilti Kiros, company manager, said that the more than 138,000 who benefited from the institute are engaged in agriculture and micro and small scale enterprises. It operates in 24 towns in the region.

The Ethiopian Herald, December 1, 2007.

Revenue

Ministry Collects 6.5B.Br in Revenue

The Ministry of Revenue (MoR) collected more than 6.5 billion Br in the past four months. Yezina Worku, public relations department manager, attributed the collection to changing public attitudes towards tax. The figure increased by 40pc from last year.

The Ethiopian Herald, December 1, 2007